a canyon with a river running through it

Grand Canyon National Park

A gorge the Colorado River cut through layered rock, seen from two rims: the South Rim, with most visitor services, and the quieter North Rim across the canyon.

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Grand Canyon National Park sits in northwestern Arizona, USA, and centers on a gorge the Colorado River carved. The park covers about 1.2 million acres in Coconino and Mohave counties and drew more than 4.9 million recreational visits in 2024. UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site in 1979. Most visitors reach the South Rim, which has about 90 percent of park visits and Grand Canyon Village, the main area for lodging and services. Arizona State Route 64 leads to the South Entrance near Tusayan, and Interstate 40 serves the area from the south.

The North Rim sits above 8,000 feet across the canyon and gets fewer visitors. It closes from 1 December to 15 May because of heavy snow, and visitor services shrink after 15 October. The drive between the rims takes about 4.5 hours over more than 220 miles, so a short trip usually means picking one rim. The Dragon Bravo Fire destroyed several North Rim structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, in July 2025, so check current status before you go.

Grand Canyon National Park in five

Check the nonresident fee and the passThe $100 per person charge for non-US residents 16 and over applies at the South Rim gate, on top of the $35 vehicle fee. The $250 nonresident annual pass waives it.Park fee for visitors
Ride the free South Rim shuttlesHermit Road closes to private cars during shuttle season, and free shuttles link the village, the visitor center and the viewpoints.
Do not hike to the river and back in a dayThe park warns against it, especially in summer when the inner canyon passes 40 °C. Start before dawn for any inner-canyon hike and turn around early.
Treat the North Rim as a day trip in 2026It is open for day use into late November, weather permitting, but there is no lodging in the park and the North Kaibab Trail is closed. Camping runs June 1 to October 15.North Rim status
Book rim lodging earlyLodges inside the park on the South Rim book up months ahead. Tusayan, just outside the south entrance, and Flagstaff are the fallbacks.Flagstaff

Things to do in Grand Canyon National Park

See all attractions in Grand Canyon National Park

Sight · Grand Canyon National ParkTrailview Overlook

Sight · Grand Canyon National ParkCedar RidgeCarry enough water, as there is no refill station on the trail.

Sight · Grand Canyon National ParkPipe Spring National Monument

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Grand Canyon National ParkPut the places you like in Grand Canyon National Park on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Entrance: $35 per vehicle, 7 days. Non-US residents 16+ add $100 each Read more
Permits: Backcountry permit for overnight trips below the rim; day hikes need none Read more
Season: South Rim all year; North Rim day use to late Nov, camping Jun 1–Oct 15 Read more
Nearest town: Tusayan, just outside the south entrance
Getting there: Flagstaff about 1.5 hours; Phoenix 3.5–4, Las Vegas about 4.5

Checked Oct 1, 2026 by Nate Holloway

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear7 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh5°Low-4°Snow on the rim
FebruaryClear6 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh7°Low-2°Cold, quiet
MarchClear9 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh10°Low0°Spring break
AprilClear4 rainy daysHigh17°Low5°Mild, cool nights
MayClear5 rainy daysHigh21°Low9°Warm, busy
JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh28°Low15°Hot, dry
JulyClear10 rainy daysHigh30°Low18°Monsoon storms
AugustClear10 rainy daysHigh28°Low17°Monsoon storms
SeptemberClear6 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh25°Low14°Warm, fewer crowds
OctoberClear4 rainy daysHigh18°Low7°Cool, clear
NovemberClear4 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh12°Low2°Cold, quiet
DecemberClear5 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh7°Low-2°Snow possible

Average daily high and low in South Rim, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Grand Canyon National Park

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 7°
Humidity: 52%
Wind: 14 km/h
Chance of rain: 6%

Grand Canyon National Park

01:37 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-7

Today20°10°6%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 20°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 6%.
Tue20°10°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed19°11°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 19°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu20°11°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri22°13°1%Friday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 1%.
Sat23°13°1%Saturday: Clear. High 23°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 1%.
Sun24°14°0%Sunday: Clear. High 24°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 01:17 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD

Amount

Converted to

USD · US Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Before you go to Grand Canyon National Park

Car from Las Vegas or PhoenixAbout 4.5 hours from Las VegasCompare cars

Rooms in Tusayan and FlagstaffRim lodges sell out months aheadCheck availability

eSIM for the Grand CanyonDownload offline maps for the rimRead the guide

Insurance for canyon hikingHeat illness and rescue costsRead the guide

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Rules for Grand Canyon National Park, checked

Nonresident fee: $100 per person aged 16 and over, on top of the entrance fee, unless you hold an annual passChecked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
A backcountry permit is required to camp overnight below the rim outside the developed campgroundsChecked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
No overnight lodging on the North Rim in 2026. It is open for day use, and the North Kaibab Trail is closed after flood damageChecked Oct 1, 2026 · Source

Plan around Grand Canyon National Park

All of USA

Entry rules, money and the park reservation picture

Read the guide Flagstaff

The 1.5-hour gateway town with the most rooms

Read the guide Las Vegas

The usual flight base, about 4.5 hours away

Read the guide Zion National Park

Utah's canyon park, on the same Southwest loop

Read the guide National park fee for visitors

The extra charge for non-US residents

Read the guide Travel insurance for the USA

Heat, rescue costs and US medical bills

Read the guide

Grand Canyon National Park FAQ

Is the Grand Canyon North Rim open in 2026?

Yes for day use, into late November or until the first major snowstorm, and for camping from June 1 to October 15. There is no lodging in the park on the North Rim, so sleep outside it.

How much is the Grand Canyon entrance fee for international visitors?

$35 per vehicle for 7 days, plus $100 for each non-US resident aged 16 and over. The $250 nonresident annual pass waives the $100 fee at participating parks.

Do I need a reservation to enter the Grand Canyon?

No advance entry reservation is needed in 2026. You do need reservations for lodges, campgrounds and overnight backcountry trips, and the park takes cards only at the gates.

How many days do I need at the Grand Canyon?

One full day covers the South Rim viewpoints and a short walk below the rim. Two days adds a longer hike, Desert View and sunrise and sunset at different points.

Can I see the Grand Canyon as a day trip from Las Vegas?

Technically yes, but the South Rim is about 4.5 hours each way, so most of the day is driving. Sleep in Tusayan or Flagstaff and give the canyon at least one morning.